United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2010
Expresses deepest sympathies and solidarity to the people and government of Chile following the massive earthquake of February 27, 2010. Encourages: (1) the U.S. government to offer all appropriate assistance to aid in the government of Chile's rescue and recovery efforts; and (2) the international community to join in relief efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2010
Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for FY2012-FY2016 for: (1) type I diabetes research; and (2) diabetes prevention and treatment through Indian health facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to reimburse summer food service programs for children in service institutions and food programs for children in afterschool care for free meals or snacks served to children in areas where at least 40% (currently, 50%) of the children meet the income eligibility criteria for free or reduced price meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to award competitive grants to service institutions to increase participation at congregate feeding sites in summer food service programs for children through innovative approaches to limited rural transportation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2010
Recognizes the progress made by the people of Ukraine in establishing democratic institutions and carrying out elections on January 17, 2010, and on February 7, 2010. Encourages all parties to respect Ukraine's independence and territorial sovereignty as well as its integration into the international democratic community. Pledges support for the development of a free democratic system and a free market economy in Ukraine. Reaffirms the Senate's commitment to engage the government of Ukraine in further development of bilateral cooperation through the United States-Ukraine Strategic Partnership Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2010
StartUp Visa Act of 2010 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish an employment-based, conditional immigrant visa (StartUp visa) for a sponsored alien entrepreneur: (1) with required amounts of financial backing from a qualifying investor or venture capitalist; and (2) whose commercial activities will generate required levels of employment, revenue, or capital investment. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate the status of a sponsored entrepreneur (and the alien spouse and children of such entrepreneur) if not later than three years after the date on which such permanent resident status was conferred: (1) the sponsoring venture capitalist or investor fails to meet investment requirements; or (2) the entrepreneur fails to meet job creation, capital investment, or revenue requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2010
Recognizes that U.S. hardwoods are an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource. Urges giving U.S. hardwoods and derivative products full consideration in programs to promote the construction of environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2010
Urges the U.S. government and the international community to provide resources to support the government of Haiti's leadership of international assistance efforts and to conduct a post-disaster needs assessment that will focus on: (1) social sector services; (2) population resettlement; (3) stable and democratic governance; (4) economic sustainability; and (5) public order and rule of law. Encourages the U.S. government and the international community to support the leadership of the government of Haiti and key nongovernmental and private sector Haitian stakeholders to create a national recovery and development strategy. Applauds the international community's response to the preliminary appeal for assistance. Encourages: (1) international financial institutions and international organizations to continue their engagement in support of critical economic and security priorities; and (2) the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank to relieve Haiti of its external debt obligations and seek new resources without adding to Haiti's existing debt obligations. Urges the U.S. government to assign a single person to coordinate U.S. assistance to Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable John P. Murtha, late a Representative from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Declares that when the Senate adjourns or recesses on February 9, 2010, it stand adjourned or recessed as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Murtha.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2010
Supports and recognizes the goals of RV Centennial Celebration Month to commemorate 100 years of enjoyment of recreational vehicles in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2010
Return of Talent Act - Establishes the Return of Talent Program to permit an eligible alien (and certain family members) to return to the alien's country of citizenship for up to two years in order to contribute to such country's postconflict or natural disaster reconstruction activities. (During such absence the alien and family members shall be considered to be continuously present and residing in the United States for naturalization purposes.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2010
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 - Transfers statutory responsibility for performing actuarial duties related to the Department of State's retirement systems from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of State (Secretary). Authorizes Department and Foreign Service special agents to investigate: (1) illegal passport or visa issuance or use; (2) Department-related identity theft and document fraud; and (3) federal offenses committed in the special maritime and territorial jurisdictions (nonmilitary) of the United States. Includes Pakistan among the countries (Afghanistan and Iraq) for which the Secretary is not required to convene an Accountability Review Board in an instance of serious injury, loss of life, or significant property destruction related to a U.S. government mission. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) provide security enhancements at overseas schools; and (2) use Department uniformed guards to protect buildings and areas in the United States. Revises provisions regarding: (1) local guard contracts abroad; and (2) overseas procurement. Renames the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs as the Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science. Extends the U.S. reimbursement period with respect to seized commercial fishermen. Increases the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund maximum. Provides Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty employees with federal service parity of pay. Extends: (1) grant authority for Radio Free Asia; (2) the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy; and (3) the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) personal services contractor program. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) increase the number of scientific, medicine, research, and academic educational and cultural exchange activities; (2) establish science and technology fellowship programs; and (3) establish international documentary exchange programs. Permits applicants for refugee admission to simultaneously pursue other forms of admission. Authorizes the refugee admission of certain separated or orphan children or children of refugee spouses. Revises requirements for adjustment of refugee status to permanent resident status. Eliminates the exception to the visa ineligibility of a person involved in child abduction based upon the child's location in a country that is party to the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Exempts certain children, including certain siblings, who have been adopted in a foreign country from admissions vaccination documentation requirements. Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to hire additional Foreign Service members. Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2009 - Extends comparability pay adjustments on a phased-in schedule to (non-Senior) Foreign Service members assigned abroad. Treats such payments as basic pay. Revises provisions concerning the computation of the death gratuity payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad. Extends the Secretary's authority to recruit retired Foreign Service or Civil Service employees or members of the Response Readiness Corps as reemployed annuitants to serve in Pakistan, Iraq, or Afghanistan. Repeals the recertification requirement for Senior Foreign Service members. Authorizes the Secretary to establish: (1) exchange programs under which Department officers or employees and members of the Foreign Service may be temporarily assigned to a position with any foreign government or international entity that permits an employee to be assigned to the Department; and (2) a personal services pilot program for services in the United States or abroad. Authorizes the U.S. share of assessed contributions for each U.N. peacekeeping operation after 2010 at 27.5%. Establishes in the Treasury the Buying Power Maintenance, International Organizations account. Authorizes the readmission and participation of the United States in the Inter-Parlimentary Union. Limits specified assistance to governments of countries in default to the United States. Increases authority for foreign law enforcement training. Authorizes Millenium Challenge Compact extensions and concurrent Compacts. Authorizes the Inspector General of USAID to temporarily reemploy annuitants for positions in the Office of Inspector General in Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Prohibits assistance to a country for production of agricultural commodities which would be available in surplus quantities on world markets and would adversely affect U.S. agricultural producers. Authorizes FY2010-FY2011 appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2010
Haiti Recovery Act - Urges the Secretary of the Treasury to direct the U.S. Executive Director to each international financial institution to advocate: (1) the cancellation of all remaining debt obligations of Haiti, including obligations incurred after the date of the enactment of this Act and before February 1, 2012; (2) the provision of debt service relief for all of Haiti's remaining payments; and (3) that new assistance to Haiti should be primarily grants rather than loans. Urges the Secretary to: (1) instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to advocate the use of certain proceeds to provide debt stock relief, debt service relief, and grants for low-income countries that are eligible for the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility or any other programs to assist low-income countries, including Haiti; (2) support the creation of an Inter-American Development Bank trust fund for Haiti that would leverage U.S. contributions and promote bilateral donations for the purpose of investing in Haiti's infrastructure; and (3) direct the U.S. Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank to increase earnings transfer to the Fund for Special Operations, which finances programming in Haiti and other weak economies in the Western Hemisphere. Urges the Secretary and the Secretary of State to use all appropriate diplomatic influence to secure cancellation of all remaining bilateral debt of Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2010
Refugee Opportunity Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive the continuous one-year presence requirement for permanent resident status adjustment for a refugee/asylee who during his or her first year of U.S. residence accepts employment overseas with the U.S. government or with a U.S. government contractor.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2010
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Charles McC. Mathias, Jr., former Member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on January 26, 2010, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Mathias, Jr.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Disapproves the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 15, 2009, relating to the endangerment finding and the cause or contribute findings for greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 2010
Expresses sympathy to: (1) the people of Haiti who face catastrophic conditions in the aftermath of the January 12, 2010, earthquake; (2) the members of the international community in Haiti, including the U.S. Embassy staff in Port-au-Prince; and (3) the families and colleagues of U.N. officials who lost their lives. Applauds the rapid mobilization by President Obama to provide emergency humanitarian assistance to Haiti and the leadership of Secretary of State Clinton, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Shah, and General Fraser of the U.S. Southern Command. Urges that all appropriate efforts be made to: (1) secure the safety of Haitian orphans; and (2) sustain long-term assistance to Haiti. Expresses appreciation for the international community's ongoing and renewed commitment to Haiti's recovery. Urges all nations to commit to assisting the people of Haiti with their long-term needs. Expresses support for the U.S. Embassy team in Port-au-Prince, members of the Armed Forces and Coast Guard, and other U.S. government agencies who are rescuing thousands of U.S. citizens and Haitians.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2010
Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act - Treats cash contributions made after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, for the relief of earthquake victims in Haiti as having been made on December 31, 2009, for purposes of the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Deems a contribution as meeting the recordkeeping requirements of the Internal Revenue Code if the taxpayer produces a telephone bill showing the name of the donee organization and the date and amount of the contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 January 2010
Pancreatic Cancer Research and Education Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement a Pancreatic Cancer Initiative to assist in coordinating activities to address the high mortality rate associated with pancreatic cancer. Requires the Secretary to establish the Interdisciplinary Pancreatic Cancer Coordinating Committee to: (1) provide advice on overall research objectives and benchmarks for pancreatic cancer research; (2) develop and annually update a strategic plan for pancreatic cancer research awareness; and (3) conduct evaluations and make recommendations to the Secretary, the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Director of the National Cancer Institute regarding the prioritization and award of NIH research grants relating to pancreatic cancer. Requires the Secretary to develop a primary care provider education program on pancreatic cancer. Requires the Director of NIH and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a communication tool kit for patients and their families that focuses on specific pancreatic cancer issues relating to patient choices and patient care. Allows the Secretary to award grants to research institutions for use in developing innovative compounds or technologies for the prevention, early detection, or treatment of those cancers with five-year survival rates of less than 50%. Requires the Secretary to focus on pancreatic cancer during the initial five fiscal years of awarding such grants. Allows the Secretary to designate two additional Specialized Programs of Research Excellence focusing solely on pancreatic cancer research.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2009
Boys & Girls Clubs Centennial Reauthorization Act of 2009 - Amends the Economic Espionage Act of 1966 to reauthorize through FY2015 the mandate for an annual grant to the Boys & Girls Club of America from the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the Department of Justice. Repeals the limitation on the use of such grants to expansion of the organization to 1,500 additional Boys and Girls Clubs for a total number of at least 5,000 Boys and Girls Clubs of America facilities in operation before January 1, 2010. Replaces the expansion requirement with a goal of improving the quality of youth development and educational programs, health, physical fitness, and prevention services for youth at existing and new Boys & Girls Clubs facilities, with special emphasis on reducing high school dropout rates.
United States · United States Congress · 22 December 2009
Recognizes the progress made by the people of Ukraine in establishing democratic institutions and carrying out peaceful election processes in 2004, 2006, and 2007. Supports a free and transparent presidential election in Ukraine on January 17, 2010. Encourages all parties to respect Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity as well as its full integration into the international community of democracies. Supports the creation of a free market economy and the strengthening of a democratic system in Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 2009
Small Business Penalty Fairness Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the penalty for failure to disclose a reportable transaction (a transaction determined by the Internal Revenue Service [IRS] as having a potential for tax avoidance or evasion) to 75% of the decrease in tax shown on the return as a result of such transaction. Sets forth a maximum penalty for failure to report a reportable transaction and a minimum and maximum penalty for failure to report a listed transaction (a transaction specifically identified by the IRS as a tax avoidance transaction). Requires the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to report by June 1, 2010, and then annually, to Congress on penalties relating to abusive tax shelters and reportable transactions. Extends the penalty for tendering a bad check to the Internal Revenue Service to any commercially acceptable payment instrument (including electronic payments). Expands the continuous tax levy on payments to vendors for goods and services to include payments for all property, goods, or services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2009
American Clean Technology Manufacturing Leadership Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $4.8 billion the limitation on allocations of credits for the advanced energy project investment program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Paula F. Hawkins, former member of the U.S. Senate from Florida. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on December 4, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hawkins.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2009
Welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on his official state visit. Expresses the belief that the governments of India and the United States can bring immense benefits to their people and make enormous contributions to addressing the global challenges of the 21st century. Looks forward to continuing progress in U.S.-India relations. Appreciates the contributions of Americans of Indian descent and desires closer relations between the people of the United States and the people of India.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Rosa's Law - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Public Health Service Act, the Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1968, the National Sickle Cell Anemia Act, Cooley's Anemia, Tay-Sachs, and Genetic Diseases Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, and other federal enactments and regulations to change references to mental retardation to references to an intellectual disability.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2009
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of "qualified refinery" for purposes of the taxpayer election to expense the costs of refinery property to include refineries for processing non-virgin lube oil from used, refined products (including used lube oil originally derived from crude oil or qualified fuels); (2) extend through 2016 the expensing allowance with respect to such refineries; and (3) allow a business-related tax credit for the production of qualified re-refined lubricating oil.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2009
Offers deepest condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the innocent victims killed or wounded in the senseless attack that occurred at Fort Hood, Texas, on November 5, 2009. Offers support and hope for a full recovery for those wounded there. Honors the heroic service, actions, and sacrifices of law enforcement personnel, first responders, soldiers present at the scene, medical personnel, and countless others who aided the victims. Shares in the pain and grief felt by the people of the United States in the aftermath of this tragic event.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Diabetes Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to establish a national diabetes prevention program targeted at persons at high risk for diabetes. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to recognized eligible entities to: (1) support community-based diabetes prevention model sites that work with the health care delivery system to identify such high risk persons and to refer them to, or provide them with, cost-effective group-based lifestyle intervention programs; and (2) evaluate methods for ensuring the scalability of recognized community-based diabetes prevention model sites nationally, the health and economic benefits of a national diabetes prevention program for high risk persons in certain age groups, emerging approaches to identify and engage persons at high risk in health care and community-based programs, novel strategies for linking community-based program delivery with existing clinical services, and the costs and cost effectiveness of clinic-community linkages. Directs the Secretary to develop and implement: (1) a program under which the Secretary recognizes, annually, eligible entities that deliver community-based diabetes prevention services; (2) a curriculum development and training program for diabetes prevention master and lifestyle intervention instructors; (3) community outreach programs to identify community and provider groups to participate in the national diabetes prevention program and coordinate quality assurance programs at the local level in partnership with community-based organizations; and (4) a national partner outreach program to identify and work with national partners to identify workers in the community to complete instructor training and to facilitate the recognition of eligible entities to deliver community-based diabetes prevention programs. Requires the Secretary to: (1) provide quality assurance for each community-based diabetes prevention program model site funded under this Act and for other recognized community-based diabetes prevention programs; and (2) award grants to eligible entities to conduct diabetes prevention research. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct or support studies to manage, reduce, and prevent type-2 diabetes in at-risk populations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Supports the civilians in Yemen, especially displaced persons, who have suffered from instability, terrorist operations, and chronic underdevelopment in Yemen. Recognizes the threat instability and terrorism in Yemen pose to the security of the United States, the region, and the population in Yemen. Calls on the President to promote economic and political reforms in Yemen. Urges the government of Yemen and rebel forces to halt hostilities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 2009
Recognizes National Veterans Awareness Week. Supports the designation of a National Veterans History Project Week. Calls on the people of the United States to interview at least one veteran in their families or communities according to guidelines provided by the Veterans History Project. Encourages local, state, and national organizations along with federal, state, city and county governmental institutions to participate in support of the effort to document, preserve, and honor the service of American wartime veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
START I Treaty Inspections and Monitoring Protocol Continuation Act of 2009 - Authorizes the President, under conditions set forth by this Act, to accord to eligible officials of the Russian Federation the privileges and immunities provided for in Article II, paragraph 7 of the (July 1991) Protocol on Inspections and Continuous Monitoring Activities Relating to the Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in order to facilitate continued application of the arrangements provided for in the period following the Protocol's termination on December 5, 2009. Terminates such authority on the earlier of June 5, 2010, or on the date of the entry into force of a U.S.-Russian agreement that supersedes the Protocol.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2009
Designates Thursday, November 19, 2009, as Feed America Day. Encourages the people of the United States to sacrifice two meals on Thursday, November 19, 2009, and to donate the money that they would have spent on such food to a religious or charitable organization of their choice for the purpose of feeding the hungry.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2009
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Celebrates 20 years of an undivided Europe. Honors the service and sacrifice of the people of Germany, the United States, and other countries who served in the Cold War to bring freedom to Central and Eastern Europe. Expresses appreciation to the people of Germany for their commitment to preserving the freedom of others in their leadership on international assistance, peacekeeping, and security efforts. Reaffirms the friendship between the government and people of the United States and the government and people of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 2009
Recognizes the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and celebrates 20 years of an undivided Europe. Honors the service and sacrifice of the people of Germany, the United States, and other countries who served in the Cold War to bring freedom to Central and Eastern Europe. Expresses appreciation to the people of Germany for their leadership in international assistance, peacekeeping, and security efforts. Reaffirms the friendship between the government and people of the United States and the government and people of Germany.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States remains deeply concerned about the plight of specified vulnerable Iraqi religious and ethnic minorities; (2) the U.S. government and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) should urge the Iraqi government to enhance security at Iraqi places of worship. Urges the U.S. government to continue to work with the Iraqi government to: (1) train and deploy minority members into the Iraqi police and security forces; and (2) ensure that members of such communities suffer no discrimination and be assigned to their locations of origin. Urges the Iraqi government, with U.S. government assistance, to: (1) ensure that the upcoming national elections in Iraq are safe, fair, and free of intimidation and violence; and (2) permit and facilitate election monitoring by experts from local and international nongovernmental organizations, the international community, and the United Nations. Encourages the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan regional government to work towards a peaceful and timely resolution of territorial disputes. Encourages the U.S. government and UNAMI to urge the Iraqi government to work with minority communities to develop measures to implement article 125 of the Iraq Constitution. Urges the Iraqi government to take affirmative measures to reverse the marginalization of religious minorities in Iraq. Urges the U.S. government to: (1) direct assistance to projects that develop the ability of minorities in Iraq to organize themselves to effectively convey their concerns; and (2) continue to fund capacity-building programs for the Iraqi Ministry of Human Rights (IMHR), the independent national Human Rights Commission, and a new independent minorities committee. Urges the Iraqi government to: (1) direct the IMHR to investigate and report on abuses against minority communities in Iraq; and (2) help ensure that displaced Iraqis considering return to Iraq have proper information. Urges the U.S. government and international organizations to continue to work with the Iraqi government to develop the legal framework to address property disputes of returning Iraqis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Cliff Hansen, a former Senator of Wyoming. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on October 21, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hansen.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2009
Congratulates the National FFA Organization, a premier student leadership organization, for 40 years of membership by women and celebrates the contributions of female members of the National FFA Organization.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2009
Health Care for Veterans Exposed to Chemical Hazards Act of 2009 - Makes any veteran who was exposed in the line of duty to an occupational and environmental health chemical hazard of particular concern to the Secretary of Defense eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for any disability, notwithstanding insufficient medical evidence to conclude that the disability may be associated with such exposure.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) a highly capable and knowledgeable individual should be nominated with all expediency to serve as the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); and (2) USAID must be empowered to be the primary development agency of the United States and to serve as the principal advisor to the President and national security organs of the U.S. government on the capacity and strategy of U.S. development assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2009
Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) the United States Trade Representative (USTR) should establish a strategy for initiating negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN); and (2) any pending bilateral issues between the United States and Burma should not deter the United States from negotiating free trade agreements with other ASEAN nations, nor should the United States encourage trade with Burma, absent significant reforms within that country.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2009
Mourns the loss of life resulting from the earthquakes in Indonesia, the tsunami in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga, and Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Expresses condolences to the victims' families and sympathies to the survivors who are still suffering in the aftermath of these natural disasters. Supports the efforts provided by the U.S. government, relief agencies, and private citizens. Urges the U.S. government and the internal community to provide additional humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2009
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Henry Bellmon, a former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns on September 29, 2009, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Bellmon.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend the authority of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make grants to operate Radio Free Asia through September 30, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 2009
Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 2009
Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009 - Specifies principles that Congress declares should be the basis of the relationship between the United States and Pakistan. Authorizes the President to provide assistance to Pakistan to support: (1) democratic institutions; (2) efforts to expand rule of law, build the capacity, transparency, and trust in government institutions, and promote internationally recognized human rights; (3) economic freedom and development; (4) investments in people, particularly women and children; and (5) strengthen public diplomacy to combat militant extremism and promote a better understanding of the United States. Authorizes FY2010-FY2014 appropriations for assistance to Pakistan under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, including: (1) international military education and training (IMET); and (2) foreign military financing for the purchase of defense articles and services, among other things. Authorizes the Secretary of State to establish an exchange program between military and civilian personnel of Pakistan and certain other countries, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries. Prohibits any security-related assistance and arms transfers to Pakistan during FY2010-FY2014 until the Secretary of State certifies that: (1) Pakistan's government is continuing to cooperate with the United States in efforts to dismantle supplier networks relating to the acquisition of nuclear weapons-related materials; (2) Pakistan's government during the preceding fiscal year has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and is making significant efforts towards combating terrorist groups; and (3) Pakistan's security forces are not materially and substantially subverting Pakistan's political or judicial processes. Provides for a national security waiver of such limits. Prescribes FY2010 requirements for the Department of State's Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund. Restricts the provision of any direct cash security-related U.S. assistance or non-assistance payments to Pakistan to civilian authorities of a civilian government. Provides for a national security waiver of such restriction. Directs the Secretary to submit a Pakistan Assistance Strategy Report to the appropriate congressional committees. Requires the Comptroller General to review and comment on the Report, and recommend any additional actions that could help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. efforts to meet the objectives of this Act. Directs the President to develop and report to the appropriate congressional committees on a comprehensive interagency regional security strategy to eliminate terrorist threats and close safe havens in Pakistan.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lugar, Richard G. [R-IN]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000504_200.jpg)